Valve seat gauge



Dec. 20, 1932.

F. o. ALBERTSON ET AL 1,891,365

VALVE SEAT GAUGE Original Filed Oct. 8, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dem 20, 1932- F. o. ALBERTsoN ET Ax. 1,891,365

VALVE SEAT GAUGE Original Filed Oct. 8, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented 20, 1 932 UNITED s'rArasf PA'raNT; ori-ica FRANS 0. ALIBEBTSON AND AXEILMA'DSEN, OF vSIIOUX OI'IY,` IOWA, ASSIGNOBB T0 ALBEBTSON OOHPANY, INC., OF SIOUX CITY, IOWA, A. CORPORATION Ol' IOWA.

vALvn sm'r Gamin original application inea omheis, mo, sei-iai No. 487,134. Divided and '1932. serial No. 600,106.

The present invention relates to valve seat gauges and is rparticularly concerned with gauges for indicating the condition of concentricit of a valve seat with respect to the valve guide or the uniformity of elevation of a valve seat, or the lack of these qualities.

The present application is a divisional application of our parent application, Serial No. 487 ,134, filed October 8, 1930, for valve sealJ gauges, and relates particularly to `the form of valve seat gauge shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of said parent application.

One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of an improved dial gauge adapted to indicate the condition of a valve seat of an internal combustion engine before and after a valve seat reconstruction operation, to show the improvement in the valve seat.

Another object is the provision of a dial gauge of the class described, which is capable of indicating the concentricity or lack 0f this quality of the valve seat, with respect to the valve guide, with a high degree of accuracy.

Another object is the provision of a dial gauge of the class described, which is adapted to be used for checking valve seat reconstruction operations or reseating operations.

Another object is the provision of a dial gauge of the class described, so -arranged that the dial may be held in fixed position instead of rotating with'the gauge arm in the exploration of the valve seat surface, thereby permitting a closer reading than is possible with a moving dial.

Another object is the provision of an improved dial gauge for valve seats, which is sturdy, eilicient, accurate and capable of long service with a minimum amount of repairs or replacements of parts, and a gauge which may be manufactured at a low cost, within the means of a vast number of purchasers.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

this application med larok 81,

Referring to the drawings, of which there y are two sheets,

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of one of the preferred forms of the valve seat gauge, constructed according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view in a different `rotative position, with a part of the-gauge body and indicator head shown'in section, on a vertical plane on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the valve seat gauge;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal, sectional view taken Y on theplane of the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the plane of the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6.is a sectional view of the indicating unit, taken on the plane of the line 2--2 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing the means of support of the indicator head 0nguide for slidably supporting a valve stem,

commonly known as poppet valves. Many of the features of the invention, however, are of generalfapplication, and may be utilized in connection with other surface gauging operations.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the present valve seat gauge 10 is illustrated in connection with the block 11 of an internal combustion engine having a valveseat 12 and a' valve guide 13. The gauge 10 is preferably used in connection with a pilot stem 14 of the type adapted tobe ixedly secured with its axis in alignment withthe axis of the valve stem guide 13, and the same pilot stem is preferably employed which is used in the valve reseating or reconstruction operation. The pilot stem is thus in the same position which it assumed during the finishing of the valve seat, and the valve seat may be checked to ascertain the condition of concentricity of the valve seat with respect to the pilot stem and to the axis of the valve stem guide 13.

The pilot stem 14 preferably comprises a solid tool steel member having an upper tool receiving and guiding body 15 of substantially cylindrical shape and a lower cylindricalV portion 16 of substantially cylindrical shape and adapted'to lit in the cylindrical valve stem guide 13 quite closely. For example, a complete set of pilots of this type preferably includes pilots of varying sizes, differing in size by approximately one-thousandth of an inch, and therefore any guide may be tted with a tolerance of one-thousandth of an inch or less, and the cylindrical portion 16 of the pilot corresponds quite closely to the size of the valve stem guide 13. v The ordinary valve seat guides are intended to be cylindrical and complementary to the cylindrical valve stem, but the ends of the guides usually become tapered from the wear and play of the valve stem. That part of the guide intermediate the ends and slight- 17 terminating in an annular `shoulder 18,

which definitely limits the degree of insertion of the pilot stein 14 into any guide 13. The tapered portion 17 is of .suliiciently gradual taper to be wedged into the pilot stem 13 by hand, the frusto-conical portion 17 of the pilot stem 14, automatically centering the pilot with respect to the guide 13 and the lower cylindrical portion 16 of the pilot also serving to center the pilot stem 14 within the limits of accuracy, which are necessary for good work. v

The amount of taper at the frusto-conical portion 17 may vary for pilot stems of difergent sizes, but is preferably suicie'nt to permit the pilot to be xedly secured in the guide 13 by the amount of force which can be applied with a pin passing'through-the transverse bore 19 at the top of the `ilot 14, the

3 ilot being twisted and shoved own axially y the hand of the operator.

For example, the taper should preferably be `within the range-of ifteen-thousandths of an inch to thirty-thousandths of an inch for each foot of length of the pilot, and is.

preferably made about twenty-two thousandths of an inch' per foot. The pilot stemis centered b the cylindrical portion ofthe stem, which fits quite closely the worn part of the guide' intermediate the ends of the guide, and' the 'piiz is i'n plus;

wedging e gement of the tapered. with the vlslfe stem guide adjacent.: fonda, v. and where the 'de is apt to llar ed or roun ed out.

he valve seat gau e a substantiall cylin rical body.20' aving and rotatably lreceiveA the cylindrical portion v15 and the bore 21 prefera ly the way through the body 20m the gauges- 0f the typle shown in Figs. 1 and 2. f At its up r y end, t e valve gauge body 20v is prefe -l provided with an annular flange 22, the outer cylindrical `surface 23 of which may be knurl'ed ormi1ledto provide a convenient Lf 20, and the he'ajd 24 of the body '20 isre erably provided with aaflat upper 'surace 25,andwith -anfannular groove 26, thus 1ov pfebf an Y axially exten ing bore 21 adapted to slidably'- `extends all of` for the fingers in`V rotating the gauge forming another annular flange 27 dgpted retain an indicating '28 onf the .gauge I The valve gauge bod 20-preferably sup ports an adjustable co ar 29 comprising an annular metal member having a bore 30 for.

receiving the'body 20 and having a pair of p laterally roJectmg lugs 31, the annular member 29 being split at 32between the lugs 31.

A threaded stud 33 is provided witha reduced end 34, which is secured in a complementary bore 35 in one ofthe lugs 31 by riveting, and the threadedend 36 of stud 33 ex` tends through an enlarged bore 37 in the other lug 31. A knurled thuinb nut '38 is threaded on the end 360i stud 33 forengagin'g thel adjacent lug 31 and clamping the lugsg31 to# gether to fixedly seci'irethe collar 29 in anyl adjusted 'tion on thegbod '20.

'111e co ar 29 is also lprovided with'a depending' lug 39 which extends ,outward land downward from the collar29 and is spaced sufficiently from the'body 20 to make room for the valve seat en member or arm 40, adjustably carriedA y lug 39. `Lug 39 is preferably provided with a transverseibore 41 adapted to slidably 'receive the cylindrical portion 42 of a bolt havinga threaded end iio 43 for receiving a thumb nut 44. The head 45 of bolt 42 may be cylindrical in form, `and is preferably provided with a transverse bore 46 adapted to slidably receive the valveseat engaging arm'40 and the head j 45 may be provided with a sleeve 47 with f'a'similar transverse bore 48.

The thumb nut 44 is preferablyv provided with a counterbore located at -its yinner end and adapted to receive a coil spring 50..,which is located' in the annular space of counterbore 49 about the threaded portion of bolt `42.",'1`he Spi'ing'O is under compression and constantly urges nut 44and bolt 42 to theleft in Fig.'-`

5, causingRthe valve seat enga ing member '40` to be clamped between wa s of bore 48 in sleeve 47, and the walls of bore 46v in head 45. l l The valve seat engaging' member is thus resiliently clamped at all times, even when the nut 44 is out of engagement with the side of lug 39, but in such case, the valve seat engaging memberma .be readily released by axial pressure on t e nut 44. The -resilient clamping action of the spring may be augmented by threading the nut 44 home against the side of lug 39 and -ixedly clamping the arm 40 in any desired adjusted position.

It should be noted that the arm 40 may be rotated on the bolt 42 o r adjusted longitudinally of the bolt 42 `as desire' The valve seat engaging arm 40 comprises a substantially cylindrical pin or rodfp'referably formed of tool steel and provided at its lower end with a ball shaped formation 51 of hardened steel, which is adapted to provide a single point contact with that portion of the valve seat 12 which the arm 4() engages.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be noted that the valve seat engaging arm 4() may be adjusted to a position transverse to the langle of the valve seat and ixedly securedon the body 20 by vsecuring the thumb nuts 38 and 44, after which the body 20 may be rotated by means of the annulus 22, and the valve seat engaging member 40 will wipe around the valve seat`12 to gauge the condition of the valve seat surface. The valve seat engaging member 40 is peculiarly1 adapted to be adjusted for valve seats of any angularity or valve seats of any diameter, and thel various adjustments provided make the gauge adaptable to the testing of valve seats of all kinds.

The indicating unit 28, in the form of gauge shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is preferably supported upon a separate indicator head 52 which may comprise a substantially cylindrical body having an eccentrically located bore 53 for receiving the head 24 of the gauge body 20.

The head 52 is preferably provided with a transversely extending slot 54 permitting a convenient view of the upper surface 25 of the gauge body 20 and the head 52 may be provided with a retaining member 55 compris'- ing a sheet metal member secured tothe head 52 with -screw bolts 56 and having a downwardly extending iiange 57 for preventing the rocking of the head 52 on the end of body 20.

The flange 57 provides a bearing surface for the annular flange 27 on the end of body 20 at the side of the slot 54, so that the head 52 may rotate freely on the end ofgauge body 20, but is guided in its rotation by flan ge 57. The head 52 is preferably retained on the end of body 2O by a set screw 58 which extends through the head 52 in the bore 5,3 and into the annular groove 26. The annular groove 26 is of sufficient width with respect to the end of set screw 58, to permit the range of move'- ment which may be desired for actuating the mechanism of indicating unit 28, but .the s et screw 58 retains the indicating unit and gauge body 20 in assembled position at all times, althou h it permits suiilcient axial Y preferably provided with a head 63 havingl a ball'shaped formation 64 for engaging-the fiat surface 25 of the gauge body 20. The indicator unit casing 60 may be secured in socket 59 by a plurality of set screws 65 or other convenient fastening means.

In the type of gauge shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the head-52 is preferably fixedly supported `on the upper end of a pilot 14 during the gauging operation, and for this purpose the head 52 is provided with a bore 66 axially located with respect to bore 13 and adapted to closely fit the upper end of pilot 14. The head 52 is also preferably provided with a frictiona1 securing device, such as a spring pressed ball 67 vwhich is located in a transverse bore l 68 and adapted'to engage the upper end l5 of pilot 14.

The bore 68 is preferably threaded and a coil spring 69 is compressed between the ball 67 and an adjustable threaded plug 70. The inner end of bore 68 is tapered as vat 71 and provided with an openin 72 of reduced size which is adapted to permlt the ball 67 to vproject from the bore 68, but the inwardly projecting flange 73 retains the ball 67 in the bore 68. The head 52 may be pressed on the upper end of pilot 14 by forcing the end 15 into bore 66, ythe beveled end 74- of the pilot camniing back the ball 67 which frictionally engages the body l15 of the pilot and tends to retain the head 52 in fixed position with respect to the pilot 14. In the gauging operation, however, the body 52 is also preferably held with the fingers of the operator, thereby retaining the indicating unit 28 in .y 'fixed position while the gauge body20 is rotated by means of thev fingers applied to annulariiange 22.

rlhe indicating unit 28 preferably comprises adial indicator provided with a casing 60 having a downwardly projecting cylindrical portion 75 which is adapted to be received in socket 59' and which is'adapted to slidably support the plunger 62. The lower portion 75 of casing 60 is provided with an annular boss 76 formed with a bore 77 for slidablyreceiving plunger`62, and a transverse frame member 78 secured by screw bolts 79 to the inner annular surface 80 of casing 60 is pro'- vided with an aligned bore 81 for slidably supporting plunger 62. n

A sheet metal guide member 82 is likewise secured to the annular surface 80 by screws 83 and is provided `with a downwardly extending slot 84 between the two legs 85 for guidim` a pirr 86 carried by plunger 62.

The Elower portion 75 o the casing also houses a wire spring 87 having one end 88 1 soldered to the casing 60 and the other end 89 hooked over pin 86 and tensioned to urge the in 86 and plunger 62-downward.

'Ille casing 60 also supports, by means of bolts 90, another transverse metal frame member 91 having a centrally located bore 92 for rotatably supporting t e u per end of a spindle 93.' The lower end o the spindle 93 1s journaled in a bore 94in casin 60. The spindle 93'is preferably provide with an enlarged shaft 95 formed with a worm groove 96 and with a -pinion 97. The end of pin 86 extends into worm groove 96 and is adapted to rotate the pinion 93 when plunger 62 is moved axially. lThe transverse rame member 91 also sup rts a sheet metal bearing bracket 98, fixe 1y secured toits lower side by screw bolts 99 and provided with a bore 100 for rotatably receiving 4one end of a shaft 101, the other end being )ournaled in the bore 102 in frame member 91.

The shaft 101 supports a gear 103 which meshes with pinion 97 and a spiral spring 104 is wound about the hub of shaft 101 below gear 103, having one end attached to the shaft and havin its outer end attached to bracket 98. Spiral spring 104 constantly urges spindle ,93 in acounter-clockwise direction and maintains the upper side of groove 96 in engagement with the pin 89 at all times. The springs 104 and 87 constantly take up any lost motion between the motion multlplying mechanism, which connects the plunger 62 and pinion 93, thereb causing the pointer 105, which is carried vy pinion 93, to closely follow the movements of the plunger 62 without any backlash.

' rlhe casing 60 may be provided with an auxiliary outer casing member 106 of substantially cylindrical form, adapted to receive the casing 60 and having an annular, inwardly extending flange 107 for engaging the bottom of casing 60. The outer case 106 extends above casing 60 and is adapted to en- 55 close and support the dial10fv and transparent cover 108. For this purpose, one or more annular spring washers 109 may be interposed between dial 107 and upper end of casing 60 and the dial 107r may be fixedly se- 60 cured in outer casing 106 by a split ring 110.

y The glass cover or crystal 108 may be secured on the end of outer casing106 by a bezel ring 111 having an inwardly extending annular iiange 112 for. enga 'ng the cr stal and 65 having a cylindrical bo y yadapte to fric- Screw 'tionally engage the outer wall of outer cashe'dial 107 may comprise a cardboard or celluloid plate havin a centrally located bore 113 for passing t e spindle 93 and having a circular scale with appropriate numerica indicia at regularly spaced scale divisions. If desired, however, only a few scale divisions may be provided along an arcuate line, since the present gauge is intended to measure only a small amount of divergence of the valve surface from the perfect condition.

l The operation of the auge shownin Figs. 1. and 2 is as follows: he reseating operatlon, or valve seat reconstruction, is preferably accomplished with the same pilot stem 14'which is intended Ato be used with the valve seat gauge. If desired the divergence of the valve seat from the desired condition may be checked at the beginning of the reseating operation, to show the customer the r condition of the .valve seat by means of t e is After the vseat has been' refinished, the

4ing tools are removed ilot 14 and the gauge assembled, as shown inFi 1. The yalve seat engaging arm 40 is -pre erably ad- ]usted substantially as shown-m Fig. 2, with respect tothe valve seat, the ball 51 en agmg the valve seat 12, and the nuts 38 an 44 being tightened.

The indicating unit 28 may then be held still by grasping the vhead 52 with the fingers and the gauge body 20 may be rotated by the fingers-of the other hand applied to the annular ip 22. During this rotation, the arm 40 wil wlpe across the valve seat surface 12, but the arm 40 will be rotated in a circle about the axis of the pilot 14. vThe ball 51 will slide over the valve seatsurface 12 and any divergence from true concentricity will permit the ball 51 to drop or rise slightly, which will cause a slight axial movement of the valve gauge body 20. The same eiect would be produced by any depression in the valve seat surface 12 and in the embodiment of 1 and 2. any downward movement of the body 20 permits the plunger 62 to move downward, causing .the pointer 105 to execute a larger movement relative to the dial 107 on accountof the motion multiplying mechanism of the indicating unit 28. In such case, the Vindicating unit 28 and head 52 are'- supported in fixed position on the upper end of pilot stem. 14, and the collar 29 must, of course, be adjusted so that the plunger 62 is not at the lower limit tiles at the time movement of the pointer takes ace.

It will thus be observed that we have invented an improved valve seat gauge which 1s 5 adapted to be adjusted for valve seats of any irregularity or diameter. and which is adapted to be used to check the valve seats before and., after any reseating and reconstructing operations, to show the improved condition of the valve seat or the desirability of refinishing the seat.

lhe valve seat gauge shown 1n Figs.. l and 2 may be read more accurately than the specific form of device claimed in the parent application mentioned above for the reason that the dial may be held still during the checking operation so that movement of the pointer may be observed more readily.

While We have illustrated a preferred embodiment-of our invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and we do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail ourselves of all changes Within the scope of the ap ended claims.

aving thus described our invention, what We claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is':

1. In a valve seat gauge, the combination of a pilot stem adapted to be ixedly secured in a valve stem guide, with a gauge body slidably and rotatably mounted on said pllot stem, means carried b said body for engaging a valve seat, an in icating unit carried by said ilot stem and having an actuating member or engaging the end of said body.

2. In a valve seat gauge, the combination of a pilot stem adapted to be ixedly secured in a valve stem guide, with a gauge body movably mounted on said pilot stem, said body being adapted to be rotated on said pilot, means carried by said body for engaging a valve seat surface 'during such rotation, and for moving said body axially of said pilot in response to irregularities in said valve seat surface, and an indicating unit engageable with said body for indicating said irregularities, said units being ixedly held with respect to said pilot stem.

3. In a valve seat gauge, the combination of a pilot stem adapted to be fixedly secured ties, said unit being ixedly held with respect to said ilot stem,a supporting head for said said head on said pilot. v

4. In a valve seat gauge, the combination of a pilot stem ada ted to be'fixedly secured v in a valve stem gui e With a gauge body movably mounted on said pilot stem, said body being adapted to be rotated on said pilot, means carried by said body for engaging a valve seat surface during such rotation, and for moving said body axially of said pilot in'response to irregularities in said valve seat surface, an indicating unit for indicating said irregularities, fixedly held with respect to said pilot stem, comprising a casing, a plunger slidably mounted in said casing-for engaging the end of said gauge body, a dial and a pointer operatively connected with said plunger to indicate movement of said body.

5. In a valve seat gauge, the combination of a pilot stem adapted to be ixedly secured 1n a valve stem guide, with a gauge body movably mounted on said pilot stem,said body-. bemg adapted to be rotated on said pilot,

means carriedby said body for engaging a valve seat surface during such rotation and for moving said body axially of said pilot in response to irregularities in said valve seat surface, an indicating unit forl indicating said irregularities, fixedly held with respect to said pilot stem, comprising a casing, a plunger slidably mounted in said casing for engaging the end of said gauge body, a dial, a pointer operatively connected with said 'plunger to indicate movement of said body, and resllient means for maintaining said plunger inengagement with said body.

6. In a valve seat gauge, the combination of a pilot stem adapted to be iixedly secured in a valve stem guide, with a gauge body movably mountedV on said pilot stem, said body being adapted to be rotated on said pilot, means carried by said body for engaging a valve seat surface during such rotation, and

`for moving said body axially of said pilot in response to irregularities in said valve seat surface, an indicating unit for indicating said irregularities, fixedly held with respect to said pilot stem, comprising acasing, a plunger slidably mounted in said casing for engaging the end of said gauge body, a dial, a pointer, and movement multiplyin mechanism connecting said pointer and p ungcr.

7. In a valve seat gauge, the combination of a pilot stem adapted to be fixedly secured in a valve stem guide, with a gauge body movably mounted on said pilot stem, said body being adapted'to be rotated on said pilot, means carried by said body for engaging a valve seat surface during such rotation, and for-moving said body axially of said pilot in response to irregularities in said valve seat surface, an indicating unit forv indicating said irregularities, ixedly held with respect to said pilot stem, comprising a casing,

65 indicating unit, adapted to receive t-he end a plunger slidably mounted in said casing Afor the end ofsaid 'gauge body, a

a pointer, movement multlplym connecting said pointerand p unger, and resilient means for constantlymaintain- 8.In a valve seat gauge,

said mechanism in direct operative relation to said plunger.v J, v.

the combmation of a dial means for holding said dial in fixed relation against rotation and reciprocationrelative to a valve seat, a pointer cooperating with said dial to indicate irregularities in said valve seat, a valve seat engaging arm adapted to be moved along a valve seat and movably mounted to respond to irregularities of said'seat, and connecting mechanism between said pointer and arm, including movement multiplying mechanism. Y

-9. In ava ve seat gauge, a gauge body, means for supporting an indicating unit 1n fixed relation with respect to a valve seat and for rotatably supporting said gauge body` la mental-y bore with res t to said valve seat, said indicat ing unit avin an axially extending plunger for en g e end of said gauge body, and a radla y projecting arm carried by 'said gauge bod and adapted to engage a valve seat where said body is moved axially in response to irre larities on said seat to duce an indication on said unit.

10. In a valve seat gauge, the coinbinationl of a pilot stem with a gauge body rotatably and reciprocably mounted on said pilot stem an indicator head fixedly mounted on said ilot stem, an indicating unit carried by said cad, a plunger carried y said indicator unit v and enga ng an annular surface on said gauge y, and a radially rojecting arm carried by said gaugcbod an adaptedtoengage a valve seat where y rotation of said gau body with said arm on said valve seat 1s agpted to eect an axial movement of said gauge body when said arm engag irreguarities on said seat, said movement being 1ndicated by said indicating unit.

11. In a valve seat gauge, the combination of a pilot stem with a gauge bod rotatably and reciprocably mounted on sai pilot stem an indicatoi` head fixedly mounted on sai ilot stem, an indicatin unit carried by said Bead, a plunger carried y said indicatorunit Leonesa ceiving said cylindrical part of'said pilot i,

stem, said gauge body having an outwardly projecting armada ted to engage a valve seat and said gauge b y having a fiat end surface, an indicatin unit, an indicating head for supporting sai unit, said indicating head having a socket for receiving the end of said pilot stemand said indicating unit having a plunger projecting from said unit for engagement with said flat end surface, said plunger slidably engagin said flat end surace when said gauge bog' is rotated, and said plunger and au e y moving axially with respect to said p1 ot stem when said arm 4 en ages an irregularity on a valve seat.

3. In a valve seat gauge, the combination of a pilot stem havin an upper cylindrical surface with a gau e y having a comple- .mentary bore for s idably and-rotatably reunit, an indicating head and gauge body moving axially with respect vto said pilot stem when said armengages an irregularity on a valve seat, said gauge body l` 100 having an annular oove at its upper end and means carried y said head projectin into said groove to maintain said head and gauge body in assembly when removed from said pilot stem.

In witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names this 15 da of March, 1932.

. l FRA S O. ALBERTSON.

AXEL MADSEN. a

and ening an annular surface on said gauge and a radially projecting arm carried by said gauge engage a valve seat whereby rotation of said gauge body'with said arm 'on' said valve seat 1s a apted to effect an axial movement `of lrregu-l gauge body when said arm en body and adapted to ties on said seat, said indicating unit coma p -a dial and a pointer and movement multiplyn surface `with a e gi* 'dably and rotatably reg mechanism interposed between said-pomterand plunger. v'12.y In a' valve seat gauge, y

of a pilot stem havingoan upper cylindrical..

y` having a complethe combination i' 

